Little Nature Explorers
Ages 3–5 with an Adult
Hands-on indoor and outdoor activities help strengthen your child's connection to the natural world. (Part of the Little Years early childhood series.)

Shaw Family Adventures
Ages 6–12 with an Adult
Learn about nature as you have fun outdoors! Each program involves an outdoor activity where you use your senses and master a skill.

Our classes for kids and families have been designed for children and adults to experience together. Instructors strive to engage children in age-appropriate activities, while providing adults examples of ways to learn about the natural world at home.

To register for a class, cancel your reservation or if you have any questions, please contact Rachel Weller, Public Programs, at (314) 577-9526 or rachel.weller@mobot.org.

Children's Nature Play Areas

The Nature Explore Classroom and Sense of Wonder Woodland are designed to help children develop a sense of wonder for the natural world through unstructured and creative play with natural materials in an outdoor setting.Learn more

Teens can enjoy climbing into the tree canopy, learn to fly fish or kayak. Other opportunities include sustainable garden projects, ecological restoration and nature photography. Learn more

Family Self-guided Activity

TaleBlazerAfter checking in at the Visitor Center you can learn more about the plants and animals of Shaw Nature Reserve with your phone while you hike. TaleBlazer games take place in the real world. Players interact with virtual characters, objects and data as they move around their real location. TaleBlazer games can be played on most GPS-enabled Android and iOS smartphones.

Once a game is downloaded to your smartphone, you don't need an internet connection to play your games! Download the TaleBlazer (MIT STEP Lab) app from your phones’ app store. Once downloaded the Shaw Nature Reserve games should appear.

Our three games include information on wild edibles in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden, wetland flora and fauna facts at the wetland trail, and the life cycle of a monarch at the Nature Explore Classroom and Sense of Wonder Woodland. Each game is for a different age group.